How Long Does Microshading Last?
If you’re considering getting microshading, you’re probably wondering how long does microshading last? Here’s an average microshading lifespan and how to avoid premature fading.
Image source: Instagram @elaiabrows
Microshading is a super popular permanent makeup technique, second only to microblading. It has many names, from just shading, to combo or hybrid brows. It’s very versatile, and it can give you the brows of your dreams.
But it doesn’t exactly come cheap, so if you’re considering investing in the treatment, you want to know just how long it will last and how long you can go without brow makeup.
Keep reading to find out how long microshading last on average and how to prevent its premature fading.
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How Long Does Microshading Last on Average?
If you’re eyeing microshading how long does it last is probably your first question.
The results of microshading last around 2 years on average, but they can fade significantly after 1 year for some clients, and look relatively fresh for up to 3 years for others.
If you want to prolong your microshading, there are certain activities and products you should avoid. Occasional touch ups are recommended if you want to keep the color looking vivid.
Want to find out more about microshading? Follow the links:
Microshading – The Ultimate Guide
Microshading Aftercare
Microshading Before and After Gallery
Image source: Instagram @shani_avraham_p.m.u
Isn’t a Brow Tattoo Supposed to Be Permanent?
Actually, no.
Modern-day brow tattoos are actually semi-permanent, meaning they fade after a few years.
They’re done with pigments formulated in such a way that they are gradually broken down by the body, and they should become invisible within 3 years. Your body chemistry determines how long microshading last to a large degree.
The fact that microshading doesn’t last forever is a good thing. It allows you to modify the results after a while, or let them fade away if you don’t want them anymore.
What Factors Determine How Long Does Microshading Last?
The fading of microshading is accelerated by certain factors. Some of them you can avoid, while others are out of your hands. Here’s what determines microshading longevity.
1. Microshading Aftercare
After the treatment, your artist will prescribe an aftercare routine you need to follow in order to make sure your brows heal properly, but also to enable the pigments to settle into the skin.
You need to:
- Clean your brows from lymph build-up so that scabbing is minimal
- Moisturize the brows
- Let the scabs fall off naturally – if you rip them off, they could pull the pigments out
If you don’t follow these instructions, your brows could heal too light in many spots. You also need to get the touch up in order to achieve proper pigment saturation that will last out as long as possible.
2. Your Skin Type and Texture
Permanent makeup fades faster from oilier skin with large pores. The sebum overproduction pushes out a certain amount of pigment.
This is very apparent with microblading, but microshading is more resilient, since it’s done with a machine, and features a shadow instead of just thin, delicate hair strokes. But even the shadow fades slightly faster from oily skin than from dry to normal.
This means you might need more frequent touch ups to keep the brows looking fresh.
If you get hybrid brows, which combine strokes and shading, the shade will probably last longer, and the strokes will fade more quickly.
3. Body Chemistry
PMU pigments are made up of many components, and the body reacts differently to each of those substances. How your system will react with them and how fast it’ll break down and extract them directly affects how long does microshading last. It’s very individual, and it can’t be predicted.
Some clients experience a faster fading of certain colors in the pigment mix, and their brows can turn slightly cooler or slightly warmer in tone over time. Anemic clients can expect the pigments to fade more quickly, as one of the most common pigment components is iron oxides.
4. Pigment Quality
A prominent factor that determines how long does microshading last is the formula of the pigments injected. Some formulas last longer than others, depending on their composition. More advanced formulas fade more evenly, which is important. You don’t want the color to change too much over time!
So go to an artist who uses top-quality pigments to make sure your microshading last how long you want it.
5. Sunlight Exposure
When pigments are exposed to sunlight too often and for long stretches of time, a chemical reaction happens that fades the color. This won’t happen dramatically, but over time, premature fading can happen.
In order to prolong the results, wear SPF when you’re outside.
6. Frequent Swimming
Salt and chlorine in ocean and pool water react with the formula of the pigments. If you expose your brows to them too often, they can fade faster than they’re supposed to.
7. Skincare Products and Treatments
Certain skincare ingredients are known to cause premature microshading fading, mainly retinol and acids. These ingredients accelerate skin cell turnover, so pigmented skin cells are shedded more quickly. They also brighten the skin, and the result along the way.
Beauty treatments such as mechanical and chemical exfoliation should be avoided. By removing the surface layer of the skin, you’re peeling off the pigmented cells.
You can find information on what ingredients and treatments to avoid in this article.
How Can I Prolong My Microshading?
Some of the factors that determine microshading longevity you can control and avoid, others you cannot.
- The most important thing is to follow the aftercare routine as closely as possible so your brows heal evenly.
You should wear SPF when you go outside, and try to keep your brows dry when you go swimming. - Adjust your skincare routine by finding alternative ingredients to replace the ones that affect PMU.
- If you’re anemic, it might be a good idea to start taking an iron supplement, if approved by your GP.
- Finally, the foolproof way to prolong your microshading is to book a touch up when you feel like your brows are too faded.
PMUHub Note
How long does microshading eyebrows last depends on all these factors to varying degrees. It’s very individual, and there’s no way to calculate how long microshading last in your particular case.
Since the microshading cost isn’t cheap, you probably want your brows to last as long as possible, but this doesn’t mean you should obsess over your brows and never go swimming again. PMU is supposed to make your life better, not restrict it!
Which Last Longer Microblading or Microshading?
Microshading generally lasts a bit longer than microblading. The thin strokes of microblading fade away faster than the shadow created with microshading.
If you get hybrid brows that feature both hair strokes and a shadow effect, you can expect the strokes to fade away faster, or to merge with the shadow at some point.
Find out more about the longevity of microblading in this article.
Will My Microshading Fade Completely Without Touch Ups?
That’s the idea!
If you don’t touch it up, microshading should become invisible after up to 3 years. In some cases, though, some of the pigments stay visible for longer than that.
Microshading not fading can happen if the color was implanted too deep, or if the artist used a pigment that contains tattoo ink, or straight up tattoo ink.
This is a problem because the color at that point usually turns either too reddish, or blue/grayish. If your microshading after 3+ years turns into an unattractive shade, you can get it covered up or removed.
Is Microshading Removal Possible?
Yes.
If you decide you don’t want your microshading anymore and simply don’t have the patience to wait out until it fades on its own, you can get it removed. There are 3 methods to choose from:
Your options are:
Bear in mind, though, that all these methods require multiple sessions charged separately, so microshading removal can take quite a bit of time and money if you decide to start the process.
Find more information on microshading removal in this article.
Image source: Instagram @v.luubrows
How Long Does Microshading Last – Main Takeaways
The average longevity of microshading is around 2 years, so a bit longer than microblading. Its lifespan depends on a number of factors, the most prominent ones being your body chemistry and your skin type. You can prolong the result by getting regular touch ups, and avoiding certain activities and skincare ingredients, or you can get removal if you decide you don’t want to wait until your brows fade.
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